Lake Bell To Direct Noah Baumbach Penned ‘The Emperor’s Children’

Lake Bell To Direct Noah Baumbach Penned 'The Emperor's Children'

Lake Bell broke out in a big way last year with her directorial debut “In A World…” in which she dealt with Hollywood sexism via the very small world of voiceover artists. It was very funny and we were big fans, calling it “a low key charmer” in our review. Now, Bell has chosen a followup that involves some serious pedigree.

THR reports the actor-turned-director will direct an adaptation of Claire Messud’s “The Emperor’s Children.” If Messud’s novel, which focuses on “three entitled but unsuccessful late twentysomethings who orbit the life of a famous journalist in the months before and after the events of 9/11,” sounds familiar, it’s because Noah Baumbach had penned a draft and was planning on directing an adaptation in the summer of 2010 with Keira Knightley, Eric Bana and Richard Gere attached to star. Unfortunately, financing didn’t come through and in 2011, “Crazy Heart” director Scott Cooperjumped on board, replacing Baumbach but keeping the “Margot At The Wedding” director’s draft. Clearly, that didn’t happen either, but with Bell now at the helm, we’re hoping the third time’s the charm, especially since Baumbach’s draft will be used in the project.

In the meantime, Bell still has bills to pay, which may explain how she ended up in an AT&T ad extolling the virtues of Amazon’s new Fire Phone. Watch it below.